The German Navy in World War Two: An Illustrated Guide to the Kriegsmarine, 1935-1945

From the front flap of this 224 page book: Illustrated with over 330 photographs and drawings, this invaluable compendium provides a basic reference guide to the ships, organization, command and rank structure, leaders and uniforms of the Kriegsmarine. Although heavily outnumbered by the navies of Great Britain and the United States, the German Navy was a considerable thorn in the side of her two powerful adversaries. The U-boat campaign in the North Atlantic threatened to starve Britain into submission, while such major warships as 'Tirpitz', 'Scjarmjprst' and 'Gneisenau' posed a constant threat to Allied shipping lanes. The author has scoured previously untapped sources and collections to provide a wealth of information. The contents include: Major Aspects of German Naval History; Organization of the Kriegsmarine; The German Fleet; Rank, Uniform, Awards, and Insignia; Biographical Notes on notable personalities; Features of the Atlantic U-boat; Chronology; a Glossary and appendices on German Flags, Naval Charts, and 'Enigma'. Each section is lavishly illustrated with photographs, maps, and drawings to provide a valuable companion to German naval studies."